Day 1-2
Here we go!!! We three teachers loaded up one early June morning, without dogs, and set out for REAL mountains. I meansomething taller than the average Oklahoma elevation of 1300 feet above sea level. We wasted no time getting across Texas at speeds I shall not confess here. Finally, we cross through northern New Mexico and into Colorado; God’s country.
First night we stopped at Purgatoire Campground, near Weston, and setup tents as the sun went down behind the blue mountains to our west. Now being the warm weathered, flat landers, we are, we froze. Overnight, ice had accumulated on the inside of our tents due to condensation and low freezing temps. Of course, we knew ahead of time it would get cold and we indeed planned for freezing temps. But apparently, our planning was not good enough; we resolved to correct the issue before the next night.
The next leg of our planned journey would take us to the Rio Grande Reservoir, near the head waters of the Rio Grande River. But along way we stopped and hiked the Great Sand Dunes National Park, nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Once we finally entered the park, after an hour and a half wait in a car line, it was well worth it.
These are the tallest and highest dunes in the world. We chose to hike them on a day that reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit on the dunes; Rule #2, stay hydrated. It was hot and treacherous. However, it was gorgeously beautiful as we navigated our way up towards the top of the dunes.
Or at least that was the plan, but as I got two thirds of the way up, this sixty plus year old looked back, and I noticed my two twenty something daughters had dropped out and started their descent. As much as I wanted to complete the trek to the top, wisdom dictated I turn back and rejoin my party; Rule #1, never hike my yourself. Once back at the car, we loaded up and continued with this leg of the long journey.
